Church reviewing membership of elected Arizona official

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint is reviewing the membership of an elected official from Arizona charged in an elaborate adoption scheme.

Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen is accused of transporting pregnant women from the Marshall Islands to the U.S., fraudulently enrolling them for Medicaid and then paying them for their children to give to American families.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles tells the Arizona Republic that the Church is "disgusted" by the allegations Petersen faces.

Petersen has pleaded not guilty to charges in Utah, Arizona and Arkansas in connection with the case.